Recorder



Aug. 3o, 193s.

C. M. F. FRIDEN RECORDER Fil'ed July 7, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVEN TOR.C or/ M. E Fr/dz/l A TTOR Aug. 30, 1938. c. M. F. FRIDEN 2,128,357

RECORDER Filed July '7, 1931 3' Sheets-Sheet 2 F11-51.43.... FIE' QL ATTOR \12- 30, 1938- c. M. F.1'FR1DEN 2,128,357

RECORDER Film1l July 7, 1931Y s sheets-sheet s A TTORNEYS.V

Patented Aug. 30, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RECORDER ApplicationJuly 1, 1931, Serial No. 549,136

1 Claim.

My invention relates to recording mechanisms and particularly to atiming mechanism therefor.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved timing mechanism fora. recorder.

The foregoing and other objects are attained in the embodiment of theinvention shown in theV drawings, in which AFigure 1 shows a crosssection on a vertical median plane the timing mechanism of my invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic wiring or circuit diagram of a recorderincluding the timing mechanism of my invention.

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the timing mechanism disclosed inFigure 1.

indicated by the lines 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a cross section, the plane of which is indicated by thelines 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a cross section, the plane of which is indicated by thelines I-Ii of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a cross section, the plane of which is indicated by thelines 1-1 of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a cross section, theplane of which is indicated by the lines8-8 of Figure 1.

'I'he recordertiming unit is adapted for use in a printing recorderhaving a step by step register mechanism. In this type of mechanism, acard 356 to be printed is positioned over a mov-l able platen I9 mountedon the core 2| of a solenoid 22. When the card is moved against anabutment 24, contacts 29 and 3| are brought together, the contact 29being mounted on a ilex- 35. ible arm 32. This closes an electriccircuit to the solenoid 22, the circuit being traced from an .electrode36 through a lead or wire 31 to the solenoid and thence through aconductor 38 and a Wirel 39 tothe contact 3|. The circuit then ex- 40tends from the contact 29 and the arm 32 through v a wire 42 to anelectrode 43. A condenser 44 is connected in parallel with lthe contacts29 and 3| by wires 46 and 41.

When the platen I9 rises due to the energize.- 45 tion of the solenoid22, an imprint is made on the card 356 by the register (not shown) andthe card is liftedfoii the abutment 24 so that the resilient arm 32opens the contacts 29 and 3| and the parts are restored to their initialinoperative positions.

In order that the register mechanism can be set, it is actuated by anarm 20| secured to an amature 202 responsive to energization of anelectromagnet 201. The coil 201 is energized at $5 equal intervals toafford an impulse to the reg- Fig. 4 is a cross section, the plane ofwhich is ister mechanism and for this purpose is included in an electriccircuit. Connected `to the coil 201 is a wire 208 extending to astationary contact 209 with which a movable contact 2| I is normally inabutment. The contacts 209 and 2'II are portions of a switch, generallydesignated 2 I2, which will later be described.

From the contact 2II a lead 2I3 extends to a movable contact 2I4 abuttedby a stationary contact 2|6. These contacts form part of a' mechanismwhich will be set forth in detail subsequently. From thestationarycontact 2I6 a conductor 2I1 is joined to a stationary contact 2|8abutted by a movable contact 2 I9 which form part of a mechanism laterto be described; The Contact 2|9 is joined by a wire 22| to a lead 222extending to the wire 42 and thence to the electrode 43. From the otherelectrode 36 a conductor 223 is joined to the wire 31 and extends to amovable contact 224-while from the coil 201 a wire 22E extends to a lead221 joined to a movable contact 228. v

The contacts 224 and 228 are part of an interrupting mechanism includedin the timing unit for periodically sending impulses to the coil 201 toset the register or printing mechanism. The contacts 224 and 228 aremounted on pivoted arms 229 and 23|, respectively, each 0f which rideson one of two similar cams 232 and 233 mounted on a shaft 234. 'Ihe camsare slightly out of phase on the shaft 234 so that as they revolve thearm 23| first drops from thecam 233 permitting the contact 228 to abutthe contact 224 and shortly thereafter the arm 229 drops from the cam232 causing the contact 224 to separate from the contact 228 therebyagain opening the circuit after a momentary closure thereof. The shaft234 is adapted to revolve once every three minutes or iiveone-hundredths of an hour. so that during this period one impulse issent to the coil 201.

For rotating the 4shaft 234 I preferably mount on it a gear 236 which isthree times the diameter of a gear 231 mounted on the shaft 238 of asynchronous motor 239. As ordinarily supplied to the trade, thesynchronous motor 239 is adapted to be driven from any suitable sourceof regulated alternating current and causes the shaft 238 to make onerevolution each minute so that the reduction between the gears 231y and238 is proper to afford one rotation of the shaft 234 each threeminutes. This timing unit can be replaced by any ksuitable unit whichwill afford the desired impulses.

In the present instance, the motor 239 is provided with a neld coil 24|joined by a wire 242 to the lead 222 extending to the electrode 22 andby a wire 242 extending to the lead 42 joined to the electrode 42 sothat the timing unit opg erates continuously and periodically causesimpulses in the circuit of the coil 221l preferably, one

impulse each three minutes or nve one-hundredths of an hour. Accordingto this mechanlsm. therefore. during the continued operation 1oofthetlmingunit theregisterissetat periods of three minutes orilve-one-hundredths of an hour.

`Although the described mechanism alone is mutable for use in someenvironments,` I prefer 1g that when the time of operation includesworking periods and non-working periods, the register mechanism be setonly during the working periods and not during the non-working periods.To this end I provide a mechanism generally designated so 242. whichcomprises a frame mounted on a supporting bracket 241. The frame of themechanism includes a front plate 242, an intermediate plate 242, anintermediate plate 22|. and a rear plate 222, from which the bracket 241extends, All u of the plates are suitably joined by through bolts .222and are spaced by sleeves 244 surrounding the through bolts andinterposed between the respec- .tive plates. i

Mounted between the intermediate 242 te, and 22| isa pair ofelectromagnetic colla 224 and 221. respectively: The coil 221 is joined'to the wire 221 extending to the contact 222 while a wire 222 connectsthe coils 242 and 221 in series and the wire 222 extends to the coil 224and to .s the lead 42 of the electrode 42. The other electrode 22 beingconnected to the wire 222 through the medium of the lead 21. the contact224 is in circuit so that upon each closure of the contacts 224 and 222the coils 224 and 221 receive l` an impulse and are energizedsimultaneously with the energization of the coil 291.

Energization of the coils 224 and 221 attracts an armature 222 which ismounted for rotationl on a shaft 22| journaled between the intermediatelV plates 242 and 22|. The amature 222 preferably includes a pair ofdiametrally opposed arms 242 and 222 adapted in one position to lieagainst a stop pin 224 when the coils 222 and 221 are energized and tobe rotated away from the stop pin 244 gq) by a spring 222 one end oi'which is mounted on a pin 221 situated on Lthe intermediate plate 22|and the other end of which is connected to a pin 222 on the arm 222 ofthe armature 242. Each irnpulse energizing the coils 244 and 221 therebyas causes a rotational oscillation of the amature 229 against the stoppin 224 while the return movement is en'ected by the urgency of thespring 222.

Pivoted onthe arm 222 of the amature 222 by a pin 222 is a pawl 21|operating in an aperture 212 in the intermediate plate 23|. A spring 212on the pin 269 urges the pawl 21| into engagement with a ratchet 214havingni'teen teeth and mounted to rotate in conjunction with a bushing212 encompassing a plug 211 fixed in the intergg mediate plate 22| andforming a journal for the shaft 24|.

lnce the coils 222 and 221 are energized once each five one-hundredthsof an hour or each three minutes, the ratchet 214 is advanced one 70tooth each three minutes or nve one-hundredths of an hour. There beingfifteen teeth on the ratchet 214, the ratchet makes one completerevolution each forty-five minutes or seventy-five onehundredths of anhour. In order to prevent a 1s, retrograde movement of the ratchet 214,a detent .eter at the terminus of 212 is pivoted as at 219 on theintermediate plate 25| and is urged by a spring 22| into engagement withthe ratchet 214. Mounted to rotate in unison with therratchet 214 bybeing fixed to the bushing 212 is a gear 222 having three equally spacedteeth 5 -defined by eight successive arcuate surfaces adapted cooperatewith the periphery of the notched disc 222 and to prevent rotation ofthe disc 224 and the shaft 224 unless one of the arcuate notches of thedisc 223 is in a position to pasa gn the projection between adjacentarcuate surfaces on the octagonal gear 222. Carried by the hub of theoctagonal gear 229 and turning therewith in conjunction with the shaft224 is a gear 221 having sixteen teeth and meshingwith the gg threetooth gear 222.

Since the three tooth gear 222 makes one complete revolution in unisonwith the ratchet wheel 214 in forty-flve minutes, one of the teeth ofthe three tooth gear 222 meshes with the gear 221 w each fifteen minutesso that the shaft 224 is advanced one step each fifteen minutes. Theengagement of one ofthe teeth on the three tooth gear 222 entailsengagement between two of the teeth on the sixteen tooth gear 221 andsince the octagonal gear 222 at the same time can rotate because of theposition of the notched disc 222, the shaft 224 is given one-eighth of acomplete rotation for each one-third of a complete rotation of theratchet wheel 214. thus the shaft 224 au makes a complete revolutioneach two hours.

'Ihe other extremity of the shaft 224 is formed to provide a gear 29|having eight equally spaced y teeth thereon. This gear 29| is in meshwith a gear wheel'292 mounted on a shaft 292 journaled in theintermediate plate 242. The gear 222 ia provided on its periphery withninety-six teeth and since the eight tooth gear 29| makes a completerevolution once in each two hours, the gear 292 and the shaft 292 make acomplete revolution no.

once each twenty-four hours. The shaft 222 carries a. timing memberincluding a disc 224 removably mounted on the shaft 292 and preferablydivided 'at least into twenty-four equal spaces 222 separated by radialdivision lines 291. Each of 5 1 -the division lines is identified by oneof a series of consecutive numerals from l to 24, inclusive.

.indicating the twenty-fourhours of a day.

Preferably, the spaces 292 adjacent the periphery of the disc arefurther sub-divided into quarter m divisions 292 each of whichrepresents fifteen minutes or .25 of an hour.

'I'he timing member 294 is preferably utilized to control the register;that is, to prevent the setting of the :register to indicate or cumulate65 non-working time periods but to permit the setting or cumulation inthe register of working time periods. For this purpose the periphery ofthe disc 224 is made oi' irregular contour in accordance with theparticular conditions-under which 70 the machine is operating. Asespecially shown in Figure 3, the disc is abruptly reduced in diamtheline 291 passing through the numeral 2 and representing 8:00 a. In.

This reduced portion of the periphery is 'Il passing through the figureI2 and representing generally indicated by the reference numeral 290 andextends to the terminus of the radial line 291 12:00 noon. Thus, the`reduced portion 203 is z of akperipheral extent representingthe workingtime period between 8:00 a. m. and 12:00 noon.

The periphery of thedisc 294 is then uninterrupted between the terminiof the radial lines 291 passing through the numerals |2 and I3 repre-vsenting 12:00 oclock noon and 1:00 oclock p. m. or 13 oclock. Thus, theperipheral portion generally designated by the numeral 30| of the discA294 is uninterrupted for the non-workingy time period between 12:00oclock noon and 1:00 oclock p. rn. or 12:00 and 13:00'i:i'cltxe,k,v

. Again the periphery of thezdisc 294fis5f`interrupted, as generallyindicated @by the.` "numeral 302, from the terminus oftheradialLline/291 passing through the numeral I3'I with the inter--ruption extending to a radial line betweenathe lines associated withthe` numerals yI0 and I1. The latter radial line represents half pastfour oclock p. m. or half past sixteen oclock or 16:50 oclock. Thus, theworking period between 13:00 and 16:50 oclock is represented by aninterrupted portion 302 of proportional extent. The periphery of therdisc 294 between the terminus of the portion 302 and extending from theradial line between the numerals I0 and I1 representing 16:00 and 17:00oclock around the periphery of the disc to the. terminus of the lradialline 0 representing 8:00 oclock is uninterrupted and is proportional tothe non-working period between half past four oclock p. m. or half pastsixteen o'clock or 16:50 oclock and eight oclock a. in. or 8:00 oclock.During each twenty-four hours the disc 294 makes one complete rotationand the successive portions 299, 30| and 302 point once. A

The irregular periphery of the timing member 294 can be arranged asdesired by removing p0rtions of the disc to give any relationshipdesired between working time periods and non-working time periods.Originally the disc is uninterrupted on its periphery and is cut orinterrupted to suit the particular conditions under which the machine isto be operated. If desired, the disc can be oi' relatively thin metalmarked, perforated or scored so that the periphery can easily bemutilated.

The irregularity in the periphery of the disc 294 is utilized to preventimpulses from affecting the setting of the register. Mounted on thefront plate 248 is an insulating block 303 on which a lever 304 ispivoted by a pin 309. One end of the lever is provided with a, follower301 adapted to contact the'periphery of the disc 294 so that theirregularities thereof oscillate the lever about its pivotal point. TheA1ever'304 at its other extremity carries the movable Contact 2I9 whichcooperates with the stationary contact 2|3 likewisemounted on theinsulatingblock 303.I During the time that the uninterrupted portion ofthe disc ist is in Contact with the follower sur, the contacts 2|9 and2I8 are vseparated thereby breaking the circuit from the timing unit tothe coil 201 so that any vimpulses originating in the timing unit arenot effective on the coil 201 and the register is not set. However, whenthe interrupted portion of the disc 294 is adjacent the follower 301 thecontacts 2|9 and 2|3 are gravitally closed so that impulses originatingin the timing unit are imparted to the coil 201 and serve to set theregister. Thus, the timing unit operates during a predetermined intervalof time but the pass a given 24:00 oclock or'12r00 oclock noon. 'Ihesecontacts are mounted en resilient arms 3I4 and 3|0 respectively whichare fastened to an insulating block 3|1 projecting from the front plate243. The contact 3|2 is connected by a wire 3|3 to the conductor 222while the contact 3|3 is connected by a wire 3|9 to an electromagneticcoil 32|. The circuit to the electromagnetic coil 32| is completed by awire 322 extending from the coil to the lead .31.

When the pin 3I| on the disc 294 causes the contacts 3|2 and 3| 3 toabut, the electromagnet isenergized, thus setting the day wheel of theregister. At exactly midnight. or 24:00` oclock when the pin 3|| ridesover the arm 3I4 of the contact 3|2 and releases the contact, theresiliency of the mounting arm causes the contacts to spring apart, thusbreaking the circuit and de# energizing the electromagnet 32|.

The mechanism as so far described controls the impulses from thecontinuously operating timing unit in such a fashion that the registeris actuated to accumulate only working time periods of the total elapsedor predetermined interval of time on a daily basis.

In accordance with my invention I provide means for causing themechanism of the register to accumulate working time periods for timeintervalslonger than one day and preferably of the order of one week.For this purposev there is mounted rotatably on the shaft 293 a gear 326having eighty-four teeth around its periphery. Meshing withthe gear 324isk an idler gear 321 mounted freely on a pin 329 ydisposed on the frontplate 243. Adapted to mesh with the gear 321 is a single tooth gear 329forming an extension of the shaft 234 and conveniently fabricated bycutting away all but one of the teeth of the gear 29|. Since the shaft284 rotates a complete revolution for each two hours and since thedistance oi.' one tooth forcing the bell crank 32| to ride over onetooth and again engage the idler gear 321.

As particularly shown in Figure 4 the gear 326 is provided with aplurality of bosses 334 to which a week timing member 333 is fastened byscrews 331. rIhe face of the week timing member is Adivided into sevenspaces 338 separated by radial lines 339 and is preferably affordedindicia, such as 34|, giving the names of the days of the week. Althougha major part oi the periphery of the member 336 is regular in contour, aportion 342 thereof representing a time period from 2:00 oclock p. m.Sunday until/.4:30 o'clock p. m. Sunday provides a projection. In thepath of the projection 342 is a lever 343 mounted on a pivot pin 344extending from the insulating block 303 and at one end carrying afollower 346. The other end of the lever 343 carries the Contact 2I4while the cooperating contact 2I6 is mounted on the insulating block303. During substantially all o! the rotation of the member 336, thatis, during all of the days of the week except Sunday, the follower 346is out of contact with the periphery of the member 336 and the contacts2|4 and 2l6 are in abutment thereby permitting the circuit to the coil201 to be completed momentarily and under the additional control of thecontacts 2I8 and 2|9. However, on Sunday between the hours of 2:00 p. m.and 4:30 p. m., for example, the projection 342 contacts the follower346 and separates the contacts 2|4 and 2I6 thus breaking the circuit tothe coil 201 and preventing any impulses originating in the timingmechanism during this non-working time period from being communicated toand set in the register.

By providing other timing members similar to the member 294 and themember 330, the mechanism can be arranged so that non-working timeduring a month or during a year can be prevented Irorn being set in theregister by suitably opening the circuit through the coil 201. As I-have indicated in Figure 2, there is in the present instance provided amanual switch 2I2 controlling the contacts 209 and 2li. Normally, thesecontacts `are closed but in the event of a holiday, they are manuallyseparated, thereby interrupting the circuit to the coil 201 andpreventing the setting in the register of non-working time periodsduring the holiday.

It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the form of therecorder shown and described herein, as the invention, as set forth inthe following claim may be embodied in a plu rality of forms.

I claim:

A timing device for use in an electric circuit including a plate, a daydisc rotatably mounted on said plate and having an irregular periphery,a week disc rotatably mounted on said plate coaxially with said day discand having an irregular periphery, a first pair oi.' contacts and asecond pair of contacts in series in said circuit, a first lever foractuating said first pair of contacts pivoted with respect to said plateand bearing at one extremity on the periphery of said day disc, a secondlever for actuating said second pair of contacts pivoted with respect tosaid plate and bearing at one extremity on the periphery of said weekdisc, a drive shaft on said plate adapted to rotate, means including anintermittent action timing mechanism for rotating said drive shaftintermittently, andmeans connecting said day disc directly to said driveshaft and said week disc directly to said drive shaft for rotationthereby at diflerent rates.

CARL M. F. FRIDEN.

